Bjorkstrand has missed the last 13 games but is set to return Sunday in New York. Bjorkstrand was red-hot before getting hurt, scoring six goals with two assists (eight points) in his last seven games. His shot volume has been extremely impressive as well, setting him up for a potentially huge second half of the season.
Dowling has been a healthy scratch for the last seven games but will play Tuesday because Radek Faksa is out with an upper-body injury. Dowling has registered three goals and three assists (six points) in 24 games this season.
Veleno was loaned to Team Canada for the World Juniors and scored one goal with five assists in six games en route to winning a gold medal. The 19-year-old now heads back to the AHL, where he has amassed 12 points (5G / 7A) in 29 games as a rookie.
Shesterkin allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Rangers win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. Shesterkin had a tough start, giving up two early goals but settled in and recorded a win in his NHL debut. On Thursday he will face a Devils team that has won four of their last five road games (4-1-0) while scoring 3.20 goals per game.
Shesterkin allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Rangers win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. Shesterkin had a tough start, giving up two early goals but settled in and recorded a win in his NHL debut. On Thursday he will face a Devils team that has won four of their last five road games (4-1-0) while scoring 3.20 goals per game.
Shesterkin has been outstanding in the AHL this season, going 15-4-3 with a 1.93 GAA and .932 SV%, earning a shot at the NHL-level. Incredible numbers are becoming a trend for Shesterkin, who was 71-12-10 with a 1.49 GAA and .940 SV% in his last three years combined in the KHL. He will make his NHL debut against a Colorado team that played last night and have lost six of their last nine (3-5-1).
Shesterkin is the Rangers' top goalie prospect and one of the best goalie prospects in the entire NHL. The 24-year-old was a fourth-round pick in 2014 and came over to North America this year. He has dominated at the AHL-level, going 15-4-3 with a 1.93 GAA and .932 SV% and deserves a look at the NHL-level. He had ridiculous numbers in the KHL over the last three seasons, never having a GAA over 1.69 and while posting a .940 SV% and winning 71 of 95 games.
Blidh has yet to play this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in September but will get back up to game-speed with Providence. He spent most of his season there last season, posting 10 goals with 13 assists (23 points) in 74 games.
Head coach John Tortorella said that Korpisalo would be out "weeks" but it is officially at least one month. The Blue Jackets will be without their starting netminder until early-to-mid February, forcing Elvis Merzlikins into the No.1 role for the first time in his career.
Korpisalo has been among the best goalies in the NHL since mid-November, ranking first in the NHL in wins (11), tied for second in shutouts (2), tied for sixth in GAA (2.04) and tied for 10th in SV% (.926) over that span. Korpisalo suffered a knee injury during the shootout vs. Chicago last night and now the Blue Jackets turn to an inexperienced duo of Elvis Merzlikins and Matiss Kivlenieks.
Korpisalo was hurt in the first round of the shootout during the Blue Jackets' loss to the Blackhawks on Sunday. He showed some discomfort after Jonathan Toews scored on him and it got progressively worse, ending in Korpisalo being wheeled into the dressing room on a gurney. Korpisalo is set to undergo an MRI and further evaluation before the Blue Jackets release a detailed timetable.
Korpisalo allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Blue Jackets' win over the Islanders on Monday. Korpisalo is on a five-game winning streak, posting a really impressive 1.60 GAA, .941 SV% and one shutout. The shutout came against the Capitals, who he'll face for the third time this season--he is 2-0 and has stopped 67 of 69 shots (.971 SV%) in the first two meetings.
Bjorkstrand took a cross-check against the Devils on Saturday and will miss at least one month with a mid-body injury. Bjorkstrand was red-hot before getting hurt, scoring five goals with two assists in his previous four games. Nathan Gerbe was called up from Cleveland (AHL) to replace Bjorkstrand.
Dowling has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Alexander Radulov, who is out with a lower-body injury. Dowling will start on the top-line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn and comes in with five points (3G / 2A) in 22 games this season.
Korpisalo gave up three goals on 21 shots in the Blue Jackets' win in Detroit on Tuesday. It wasn't his best outing but it was enough to earn the victory and move him to 3-0-2 with a 1.69 GAA, .943 SV% and one shutout in his last five games. Now they return home, where Korpisalo has gone 9-8-1 with a 2.53 GAA, .905 SV% and two shutouts this season.
Korpisalo stopped all 30 shots that he faced in the Blue Jackets' shutout win over the Capitals last night. With Elvis Merzlikins struggling and a very winnable game on-tap, Korpisalo will start on back-to-back nights. He allowed four goals on 26 shots in a win in his first start vs. the Red Wings and is 2-0-2 with a 1.34 GAA and .958 SV% in his last four starts.
